Boaz Listened to God

10. What did Boaz and Nabal have in common?

¹⁰ Although Boaz and Nabal were not contemporaries, they had certain things in common. For instance, both men lived in the land of Judah. They were wealthy landowners, and both had a special opportunity to display loving-kindness toward someone in need. But there the similarities end.

11. How did Boaz show that he kept listening to Jehovah?

¹¹ Boaz lived during the era of Israel’s judges. He treated others with respect, and his harvesters had high regard for him. (Ruth 2:4) In obedience to the Law, Boaz made sure that in his field, gleanings were left for the afflicted and poor. (Leviticus 19:9, 10) What did Boaz do when he learned about Ruth and Naomi and saw Ruth’s diligence in providing for her elderly mother-in-law? He gave Ruth special consideration and commanded his men to let her glean in his field. By his words and loving deeds, Boaz revealed that he was a spiritual man who listened to Jehovah. He therefore received God’s favor and blessing.​—Leviticus 19:18; Ruth 2:5-16.

12, 13. (a) How did Boaz show deep regard for Jehovah’s law of repurchase? (b) What divine blessings overtook Boaz?

¹² The most outstanding evidence that Boaz kept listening to Jehovah was the unselfish way in which he acted on God’s law of repurchase. Boaz did all he could to ensure that the inheritance of his relative​—Naomi’s late husband, Elimelech—​would remain in Elimelech’s family. Through “brother-in-law marriage,” a widow was to marry her deceased husband’s next of kin so that a son born to them might carry on the inheritance. (Deuteronomy 25:5-10; Leviticus 25:47-49) Ruth presented herself for marriage in the place of Naomi, who was beyond the age of childbearing. After a closer relative of Elimelech declined to help Naomi, Boaz took Ruth as his wife. Their son Obed was viewed as Naomi’s offspring and the legal heir of Elimelech.​—Ruth 2:19, 20; 4:1, 6, 9, 13-16.

¹³ Rich blessings overtook Boaz because of his unselfish compliance with God’s law. Through their son Obed, he and Ruth were blessed with the privilege of becoming ancestors of Jesus Christ. (Ruth 2:12; 4:13, 21, 22; Matthew 1:1, 5, 6) From the unselfish deeds of Boaz, we learn that blessings overtake those who show love for others and act in harmony with God’s requirements.

16. How can we imitate Boaz and repudiate the ways of Nabal?

¹⁶ What a contrast there was between Boaz and Nabal! While we should reject the harsh and selfish ways of Nabal, let us imitate the kindness and unselfishness of Boaz. (Hebrews 13:16) We can do so by applying the apostle Paul’s counsel: “As long as we have time favorable for it, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith.” (Galatians 6:10) Today, Jesus’ “other sheep,” Christians with an earthly hope, have the privilege of doing good to Jehovah’s anointed, the remnant of the 144,000, who will be granted immortality in heaven. (John 10:16; 1 Corinthians 15:50-53; Revelation 14:1, 4) Jesus views such loving deeds as though they are done to him personally, and doing these good things results in Jehovah’s rich blessing.​—Matthew 25:34-40; 1 John 3:18.